Coach driver Lalit Gohil, of Buckingham Road, Edgware, broke both his legs in a catastrophic accident after his niece’s birthday dinner in Leicester last June.
A year on from his injuries he regularly has to go to Northwick Park Hospital for physiotherapy.
Lalit’s mother is also an inpatient at the hospital.
On a recent visit, Lalit found out there are only two bariatric wheelchairs in the whole Watford Road site – and he said it could be “nearly impossible” to get one.
Bariatric wheelchairs differ from normal models as they come with wider seats to comfortably accommodate larger users.
Northwick Park Hospital NHS Trust says it is an appropriate number for the size of the hospital.
Lalit said: “So many people need it but trying to get a bariatric wheelchair in a big hospital like that is nearly impossible.
“Its highlighted that many people in this country are putting on weight and there are quite big people nowadays who can’t use normal size wheelchairs, a hospital like that should have at least five or six bariatric chairs.”
Staff have told have told him that often a patient will take one and hold onto it until they are discharged as they do not wish the chair to be taken, if for instance, they need the toilet.
Lalit said while he is using one, it won’t be available for anyone entering the hospital.
He added: “I have an underactive thyroid – just looking at food makes me put on weight. I think about all the patients coming in. I want the change for all the people who suffer silently.”
A spokesperson for Northwick Park Hospital said: “We have two bariatric wheelchairs at Northwick Park Hospital, which is currently an appropriate number for the site given the frequency of their use.
“We will continue to monitor usage of our bariatric wheelchairs to make sure that we have the right resources for our patients.
“As can be the case with any wheelchair, there may be occasions when a patient has to wait a short time for a chair to become available.
“We’re very sorry to hear that Mr Gohil has experienced this issue and encourage him to speak to our patient advice team if he has any ongoing concerns.”
